WANT to see something different this Christmas? Ever thought that Father Christmas only went down chimneys? Think again.

On Sunday December 17, at 10.30am, Father Christmas will arrive at Big Pit National Coal Museum by travelling 300ft up from underground.

As he arrives at ‘Pit Top’ there’ll be music from Blaenavon Town Band and chance for visitors to say hello.

Press officer for Big Pit, Kathryn Jenkins, said; “The elves have been busy for months in preparing for this special arrival.

“We really wanted to find a different way for Father Christmas to visit Big Pit this year on his way back to Lapland.

“It’s not often that you can say you’ve seen Father Christmas travel 300ft up a mineshaft.”

Once he’s arrived and found his elves, youngsters can visit Santa in his cottage to tell him what’s on their Christmas lists, receive a gift and try out traditional games.

There will also be an opportunity to make Christmas crafts and festive storytelling will be provided by Blandalf the Baard.

You can visit Santa in his grotto between 10.30am-1pm and 1.30pm-4pm at a price of £5 per child.

Big Pit National Coal Museum was a working coal mine from 1880 to 1980 and was opened to the public in 1983 under the National Museum of Wales.

The site is dedicated to operational preservation of the Welsh heritage of coal mining, which took place during the industrial revolution.

The museum attracts thousands of visitors per year and provides mining tours to the pit bottom led by experienced staff to give an insight of the life miners’ faced.

No booking is necessary for the Father Christmas visit this weekend.

For more information call Big Pit National Coal Mining Museum on 029 2057 3650.

Alternatively, visit: amgueddfa.cymru/bigpit/